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100 Pages That Say Nothing

I imagine I'm like many of my peers and despite November election results, I was hoping that the GOP might learn a lesson or two and adjust accordingly. I was skeptical, but hopeful nonetheless. Then the 100 page report happened and confirmed what I knew in my gut - the GOP hasn't learned one damn thing. And so, my list of grievances. Were I in D.C., I'd nail them to door of the GOP headquarters in the most theatrical way possible, but I digress.

1. Why was Reince re-elected?

Yes, I know this isn't necessarily an issue with the 100 page monstrosity, but it's my blog post and this bothers me. When you have one objective that you don't satisfy and the future of the free world hinges on success, how do you get another chance? I was a "Reince again?" naysayer but was assured by party betters that he sounded like he was on message, that he knew what to fix. Perhaps it's because I tend to be slightly more aggressive, but Reince strikes me as a weak, pandering-pro. Media interviews being an indicator, he bunts instead of swinging for the fence. I don't find this encouraging in the least. We need someone who unapologetically conveys Conservatarian values and their benefits, not someone who walks in to interviews presuming the public already believes in the benefits of liberty and limited government. We can do better than Reince and we should.

2. It's 100 Freaking Pages Long

Print media is dying a slow and painful death. Gifs, memes and viral videos are the way of the world, and the GOP releases a 100 page report. This was a squandered opportunity; a chance to use a different medium to attract people who might otherwise not care about elephants and colored circles. At the end of the day, a white paper was decidedly the best way to convey that the GOP is moving forward? But the GOP isn't out of touch, archaic, dying, self-marginalizing, no, no. They're hip with times, yo! At least it had colorful graphics on the first page.

3. Um, where is the Tea Party?

An entire document devoted to messaging and outreach managed to ignore an entire base of voters and grassroots organizers who resurrected the GOP from the dead in 2009 and gave rise to a emboldened liberty movement. These energetic and devoted activists want to work with the party if the party will work with them. If it wasn't so offensive, it would be hilariously ironic. When the party's official position doesn't include any mention of working with the very people who engage in their communities in ways far more effective than any GOP sanctioned deployment or phone bank, we have a major problem. Rather than utilize an existing framework, the GOP plans to bypass some of the most enthusiastic righties at their disposal? Smart. The Tea Party/GOP relationship is one where there is going to naturally be tension and needs a lot of work and TLC. Factor in the quintessential establishment character, Karl Rove, and his ridiculous war on the grassroots, and the GOP intentionally placed themselves in a precarious pickle. The GOP sucks at reaching out to certain demographics, there's no denying this, but it makes no sense to ignore an active voting base that's largely in line with your objectives. The GOP didn't do themselves any favors by leaving the Tea Party folks out in the cold - again.

4. No love for bloggers and new media

See also, "print media is dying." As a blogger/new media type, I'm not personally offended by the GOP's lack of love for me and my peers, but I find the exclusion troubling. I'm a firm believer in utilizing all forms of media, traditional (yes, even though they're painfully biased), viral, new media, cloud writing, I don't care. Whatever it takes to get the word out. While I appreciate that the GOP realizes we're behind digitally, part of overcoming that widening crevasse is beefing up new media presence and usage year round, not just during election cycles. We don't have the luxury of a fouth estate in our back pocket. We have to work that much harder to promote a culture of independency year-round.

I had sincerely hoped the GOP would have come out of this last thrashing with better ideas than those included in their 100 page report... alas. If anything, it's motivation to get out there and make up the difference and boy do we have our work cut out for us. As Dustin Stockton, organizer of The Day of Resistance Rallies and other general anti-establishment mischief put it, "The Republican Party thinks that they need to instruct you with a 100 page manifesto. When really all we need to do is spread out and wreak havoc!" Wreak havoc indeed.

Chiming in a bit late here, nonetheless; Senator Rubio's apparent cave on immigration has led me to believe our row to hoe get's a little steeper by the day; not only society as a whole to win over....not only a RINO infested party to win back.... Now apparently a RINO element with enough power (..or leverage?) to pull a Tea Party favored hero into their fold. Kemberlee, I'll gladly spring for the nails (hell, even a hammer or two!). This list needs to get all Martin Luther'ed up one end of the GOP and down 'thother! WAKE UP AMERICA!!! Pitts off!

Fearing baldness, I long ago stopped scratching my head at the public moves of the Republican hierarchy. With Obamacare crumbling like a celebrity marriage all around them, the Democrats are so desperate that they're focusing on raising the minimum wage-a "feel good" bunch of nonsense that benefits an age demographic that isn't even old enough to vote for them. But they need people to talk about anything but Obamacare.

Demographics matter, and after the disappointing 2012 election results, the GOP has decided it may be a good idea to focus on growing the party by reaching out to the youth and minority communities. Ignoring certain demographics will continue to hurt the party, as will ignoring key issues. Just like during the 2012 campaign cycle, the GOP is leaving out a key issue that could not only grow the party, but more importantly, could help millions of children receive a better education. I'm referring to school choice.

While some say the purpose of a political party is simply to win elections, I describe it differently. The purpose of a political party is to get out the vote for a platform. For most people, the most effective way to achieve getting out the vote is to volunteer in their own neighborhood with a political party, promoting a platform they support. With deadlines for all-important primaries coming up soon, there's no time to start like the present.

Would you like to start winning elections without compromising limited government principles? It wil take a little bit of cooperation, and probably some gritted teeth. You need to do as I have done, and join your local Republican committee.

It’s funny how the most innocuous and inconspicuous moments can turn out to be the most profound. My education and professional background is firmly rooted in the blood sport of politics. Outside of earning my degree in political science, and working in the field, I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent sitting in political campaign strategy conferences and seminars across the country.

A Tuesday profile in the New York Times detailing corporate America’s waning influence on the Republican Party pointed out that “big business leaders have seemed relatively powerless” as Republican leaders struggle to control small-government conservatives in Congress.

In the fight to repeal Obamacare, establishment Republicans and the leftist media are teaming up to attack those urging that Obamacare be fully defunded. They say the conservatarian grassroots and Tea Party legions are being misled, because the task is impossible.

The Pew Research Center has released the results of an extensive survey of Republican voters. This poll clearly shows that, despite some prominent national GOP lawmakers saying we must lay low, the voters want Republicans to stand up and fight.

On today’s edition of The FreedomCast, best selling author Brad Thor joins me to discuss his new book “Hidden Order,” how life imitates art, especially when it comes to his all too factual spy novels, an

On today’s FreedomCast, AlfonZo Rachel joins me to discuss his latest video which takes on the idea of a third party. We’ll also talk about the culture war, making good art vs. “conservative art” and why Republicans need to speak the language of liberty which resonates with all races and creeds.